Walk Report October 31.
On All Hallow’s Eve, the lucky 14 gathered on Chisholm St., Ballarat, for the walk up Black Hill to the look out.
Unfortunately, Shirley was injured, so Mark sallied forth in the lead, with Libby stepping in to keep us in line.
On the way we popped into the delightful garden of the Jeffers. “Rob’s Garden” , is a well laid out, compact mosaic of colour and form with roses in full bloom and a line of spectacular, hybrid lavenders with their large, perfumed, flower heads in shades from light pink to dark purple.
Off into the parkland leading to the top of the hill where we took in the spectacular views to the South and West, with Lake Wendouree in the distance and the” brown barn”, of the Gov Hub, dominating the foreground. Markthen led us down the steps to the bottom of the cleft, in what was once a large hill of gold bearing quartz. Thecoloured clay ridge is all that remains - an inside-out hill!
This area is very popular with mountain bikers, enjoying the purpose built, series of tracks, varying in difficulty from mildly daunting to OMG! We followed, or crossed, several on our way down to the Yarrowee Trail, where we could really see the scar of the Black Hill Mine on the hill. The walk along the Yarrowee was quite a contrast with lush green grass, the occasional splash of yellow from late flowering wattles and the clear water running down the River.
After a Banana Break , we headed back towards the city, via a Graffiti Gallery under a bridge. Upon reentering suburbia for the moderate climb back to the cars, we passed some charming miners’ cottages, impressive gardens and reminders that we needed to beware of, “Ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties and things that go bump in the night”.
Thank you Mark and Shirley for scoping the walk, Mark for his leadership and Libby for her whipship, on a walk that was much enjoyed by all and left plenty of time for some to get to the Tutors’ Lunch.
Helen Mc.
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